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Job Specification

SENIOR MECHANIC

DEFINITION

Under direction, takes the lead over staff engaged in performing skilled 
mechanical work involving the maintenance, repair and servicing of 
various types of motor vehicles and/or motorized construction equipment; 
does other related work as required.

NOTE:  The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes 
only.  A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed 
in this job specification.  Conversely, all duties performed on the job may 
not be listed.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

Distributes and balances the workload among employees according 
to established work flow or job specialization.

Observes the status and progress of work performed and makes 
adjustments according to established priorities.

Provides guidance to lower level mechanics and helpers regarding 
procedures, policies, regulations, and instructions.

Answers questions of the supervisor regarding overall work operations 
and problems.

Obtains descriptions of mechanical problems from drivers of vehicles 
and/or test drives the vehicle or uses testing equipment such as motor 
analyzers, spark plug testers, or compression gauges to locate and 
identify the problem.

Locates worn, dirty, or poorly adjusted parts through visual check of 
vehicle or through the use of testing devices such as timing lights and 
dwell meters or other diagnostic equipment.

Removes, cleans, or replaces defective parts such as spark plugs, 
wheel cylinders, mufflers, tail pipes, or brake shoes.

Makes settings and adjustments such as setting distributor and voltage 
regulators, points, gapping spark plugs, setting engine idle and timing, 
and adjusting brakes.

Removes units such as engine, transmission, or differential using 
wrenches and hoist.

Disassembles unit and inspect parts for wear using micrometers, calipers, 
and thickness gauges.

Repairs or replace parts such as pistons, rods, gears, valves, and 
bearings using hand tools.

Overhauls or replaces carburetors, blowers, generators, distributors, 
starters, and pumps.

Rebuilds parts such as crankshafts and cylinder blocks using lathes, 
shapers, drill presses, and welding equipment.

Rewires ignition system, lights, and instrument panel.

Relines and adjusts brakes, aligns front end, repairs or replaces shock 
absorbers, and solders leaks in radiator.

Mends damaged body and fenders by hammering out or filling in dents 
and welding broken parts.

Replaces and adjusts headlights and installs and repairs accessories 
such as radios, heaters, mirrors, and windshield wipers.

Disassembles and rebuilds components by fitting and installing parts 
such as rings, pistons, bearings, and gears.

Aligns, meshes, and connects repaired units to related mechanisms 
and makes adjustments to ensure proper operation of units.

Adjusts ignition timing and valves and adjusts or replaces spark plugs 
and other parts to ensure efficient engine performance.

Installs air conditioners and service components such as compressors 
and condensers.

Aligns and balances wheels and repairs steering and suspension systems.

Adjusts brakes, replaces brake linings and pads, repair hydraulic cylinders, 
and makes other repairs to the brake system.

Cleans radiators, locates and solders leaks, and installs new radiator 
cores in vehicles.

Overhauls and repairs electrical systems and components.

Replaces defective wiring and electrical units in vehicles such as starters 
and generators.

Repairs and replaces gear trains, couplings, hydraulic pumps, and other 
components of automatic transmission systems.

In making repairs, uses a variety of tools, equipment, and testing devices 
such as pneumatic wrenches to remove bolts; lathes and grinding 
machines to rebuild brakes and other parts; welding and flame cutting 
equipment to repair exhaust systems; ammeters, ohmmeters, and 
voltmeters to locate electrical system malfunction; motor analyzers, spark 
plug testers, or compression gauges to locate mechanical problems; wheel 
balancing equipment to balance wheels; scientific testing equipment to help 
adjust and locate malfunctions in fuel, ignition, and emission control systems; 
and common hand tools such as screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches to work 
on small parts and access hard-to-reach places.

Consults manufacturer or other manuals or charts to identify replacement 
parts or ascertain specified dimensions and tolerances of components.

Drives a vehicle such as a pick-up truck, tow truck, and so forth to various 
locations to service disabled motor vehicles.

Examines and discusses with operator the nature of the malfunctions, 
manipulates gears, examines battery, checks fan belt, raises and lowers 
attachment on equipment, and diagnoses problems and makes adjustments 
and repairs.

Takes the lead and gives assignments to those assigned as helpers and 
mechanics.

Obtains, stores, records, safeguards, and properly uses equipment, 
materials, and supplies when performing work and may prepare itemized 
work orders to work performed and materials used in accord with 
established policy and procedures.

Tests overhauled equipment to ensure operating efficiency.

Welds broken parts and structural members.

May direct workers engaged in cleaning parts and assisting with assembly 
and disassembly of equipment.

Traces and locates defects and causes of mechanical problems to 
determine type and extent of repairs.

Overhauls, rebuilds, repairs, and services diesel, gasoline, and other 
types of combustion engines, automatic and nonautomatic transmissions, 
heavy duty drive line systems, and hydraulic utility systems and controls.

Selects and makes repairs in accord with appropriate repair specifications, 
manuals, and procedures.

Fits and installs parts such as pistons, valves, bearings, gears, and 
cylinders to appropriate tolerances and make appropriate adjustments 
according to specifications and guidelines.

Connects, aligns, and adjusts mechanical components to ensure proper 
operation of the vehicle.

Repairs cross driver or similar multisystem transmissions.

Repairs large and powerful 12-cylinder engine with pistons, which directly 
power multiple hydraulic and pneumatic systems and large multiple, 
interconnected engine systems.

Overhauls a variety of intricate fuel injection systems.

Overhauls and rebuilds transmissions such as those, which have 
braking, steering, and differential systems mechanically integrated 
with the transmission.

Maintains essential records and files.

Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or 
manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or 
related unit.

REQUIREMENTS:

TRAINING

Successful completion of one (1) year of training in automotive 
technology at an accredited community college or vocational school.

EXPERIENCE:

Three (3) years of varied experience in the maintenance and repair 
of various types of motor vehicles and/or construction equipment 
such as bulldozers, tractors, cranes, road graders, power shovels, 
or similar equipment.

NOTE:  Applicants who do not possess the required year of formal 
training may substitute one (1) additional year of experience as 
outlined above.

NOTE:  An Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Certification in one 
of the following specialties from the National Institute for Automotive 
Service Excellence may be substituted for the formal training: A-1 
Engine Repair, A-6 Electrical/Electronic Systems, A-8 Engine Performance.

LICENSE:

Appointees must possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey.

Appointees may be required to possess a valid Commercial Driver's 
License (CDL) and applicable endorsements for the class and type 
of vehicle being operated.

NOTE:  The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the 
required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type 
of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority.

In accordance with Federal regulation 82:40, appointees responsible 
for the repair or servicing of motor vehicle air conditioners are required 
to possess and maintain a valid certification as an Air Conditioning and 
Refrigeration Technician, commensurate with the type of equipment 
serviced, issued by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency.

In accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:20-46.8, appointees responsible for 
performing the emissions inspections on diesel-powered vehicles will 
be required to successfully complete a course of Instruction on Diesel 
Emission Inspection provided through the Appointing Authority. 
Appointees may be required to successfully complete re-training.

In accordance with the New Jersey Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration regulation 29 CFR 1910.178(l) (1), appointees responsible 
for the operation of industrial trucks (powered forklifts) will be required to 
obtain and maintain a current certification as a Powered Industrial Truck 
Operator issued by the New Jersey Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration.  Appointees may be required to successfully complete 
re-training.

In accordance with N.J.A.C 13:20-45.16, appointees responsible for 
performing emissions repairs to gasoline-fueled vehicles will be required 
to successfully complete the Emissions Technical Educational Program, 
and maintain a current certification as an Emissions Repairer Technician.

In accordance with N.J.A.C. 13:20-43.17, appointees responsible for 
performing inspections to motor vehicles will be required to successfully 
complete the training and maintain a current certification as a Motor 
Vehicle Inspector.

Appointees responsible for repairing or servicing motor vehicles equipped 
for alternate fuel are required to successfully complete training and obtain 
an Alternate Fuel Certification. Appointees who possess an ASE 
Certification in Alternate Fuel are considered to have met this requirement.
 
Appointees responsible for repair and servicing of suspension/steering 
systems are required to obtain an Automobile Service Excellence (ASE) 
Certification in Suspension and Steering.

Appointees responsible for repair and servicing of brakes are required 
to possess and maintain a valid Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) 
Certification in Brake Repairs.  

Appointees may also be required to obtain ASE certifications in Engine 
Repair A-1 and Engine Performance A-8.

KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES

Knowledge of where and how a variety of automotive systems components, 
accessories, and parts of systems such as wheel cylinders, fuel lines, 
condensers, and mufflers are installed.

Knowledge of varied types of motors and equipment and their operation.

Knowledge of the procedures for diagnosing the reasons for motor failure 
and of the steps necessary to correct the condition.

Knowledge of the makeup operation and installation procedures for all 
components and systems of vehicles such as engines, transmissions, 
front and rear end assemblies, electrical, and hydraulic systems.

Knowledge of the mechanical makeup, operation, and working relationships 
of a variety of heavy duty systems, assemblies, and parts such as diesel, 
multifuel, and gasoline engines including supercharged and turbocharger 
engines, automatic and nonautomatic transmissions and gear reductions 
systems including those with torque converters, planetary gears and more 
than one gear range, driveline assemblies including differentials, power 
dividers, and dual speed axles, hydraulic lifting, loading, turning, and 
positioning systems including their mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic 
controls.

Ability to determine when parts should be cleaned and reinstalled or 
removed and replaced with standard parts, and the types and extent 
of adjustment and alignment required.

Ability to disassemble, rebuild, adjust, reassemble, reinstall, and align 
various automotive components and assemblies.

Ability to determine the mechanical defects, which cause engines, 
transmissions, hydraulic systems, and other major systems and their 
components to fail to operate properly.

Ability to use a wide range of diagnostic and testing equipment including 
electrical, electronic, light, and pressure types to determine cause of 
mechanical problems such as engine analyzers dynamometers, exhaust 
analyzers, vacuum and fuel pump testers, injector testers, ignition timers, 
tachometers, ammeters, and ohmmeters.

Ability to use technical manuals, specifications, diagrams, schematics, and 
similar guides to make repairs and modifications to equipment.  Ability to 
improvise, substitute, and alter parts to fit and mesh in systems for which 
the parts were not designed or when technical manuals, diagrams, schematics, 
or similar guides do not apply.

Ability to make tune-up adjustments and settings such as setting points and 
timing engines according to specifications.

Ability to manipulate small objects with the fingers such as bolts, ignition 
wiring, points, plugs, and measuring instruments.

Ability to obtain, store, record, safeguard, and properly use equipment, 
material, and supplies.

Ability to take the lead over lower level mechanics and helpers.  

Ability to read diagrams, blue prints, and schematics.

Ability to use mechanic hand tools and small power tools such as pliers, 
screw drivers, pneumatic wrenches, and drills.

Ability to use of a variety of test equipment such as feeler gauges, circuit 
testing, timing lights, dwell meters, dial gauges, oscilloscopes, exhaust 
analyzers, and engine and chassis dynamometers.

Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording 
information systems used by the agency, office or related units.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English 
sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.  American Sign Language 
or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they 
can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable 
accommodation.  If the accommodation cannot be made because it would 
cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.


This job specification is applicable to the following title code:
Job
Spec
Code
VariantState,
Local or
Common
Class of
Service
Work
Week
State
Class
Code
Local
Class
Code
Salary
Range
Note
03459LC N/A18-

This job specification is for local government use only.
Salary range is only applicable to state government.
Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions.

7/24/2018